title: Treatment of rectal war wounds.
abstract: Treatment strategies for penetrating rectal injuries (PRI) in civilian settings are still not uniformly agreed, in part since high-energy transfer PRI, such as is frequently seen in military settings, are not taken into account. Here, we describe three cases of PRI, treated in a deployed combat environment, and outline the management strategies successfully employed. We also discuss the literature regarding PRI management. Where there is a major soft tissue component, repetitive debridement and vacuum therapy is useful. A loop or end colostomy should be used, depending on the degree of damage to the anal sphincter complex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Oscar J F
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: van Waes
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Halm
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vermeulen
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The University of Western Ontario and Canadian Forces Medical Service, London, Ontario, Canada C4-211 University Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: V C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: McAlister
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003125:Colostomy; D003646:Debridement; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine; D012007:Rectum / Q000293:injuries*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY MEDICINE; ORTHOPAEDIC & TRAUMA SURGERY; PLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY; TRAUMA MANAGEMENT; WOUND MANAGEMENT